The BMO Harris Bank Center has been home to the Rockford IceHogs hockey team, top minor league affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. (BMO Harris Bank Center photo)

Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment and BMO Harris Bank have agreed to extend the naming rights for the BMO Harris Bank Center in downtown Rockford for five more years.

The agreement extends the partnership through June 2022.

Currently in the sixth year of the original naming rights agreement, the BMO Harris Bank Center —formerly the Rockford MetroCentre — and RAVE attract nearly 400,000 patrons annually to downtown Rockford and is the home of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, the top affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks.

“Continuing to support and stay active in the Rockford community is very important to us,” said Andrea Ward, Market President, BMO Harris Bank. “We are proud to extend our partnership for another five years and are also excited to continue giving back to the Rockford community working together with our community partners to meet this endeavor.”

With the new agreement, an exclusive door will be implemented at the arena for BMO Harris Bank customers. The door will be available for all IceHogs games and for select shows at the center.

Since forming this partnership and becoming the exclusive financial institution sponsor of the arena and the IceHogs, BMO Harris Bank has also been at the forefront of the IceHogs community efforts.

Community initiatives have included Goals For Grades and the annual Sock Drive, which have generated nearly 10,000 pairs of socks for Project Undershare. Most recently, BMO Harris Bank and the IceHogs teamed up to help build a playground at RocVale Children’s Home in Rockford.

The center hosts a wide variety of events including family shows, concerts, sporting events and more, and has served as a cornerstone in the Rockford community since 1981.

Some of the acts featured over the past six years include the Zac Brown Band, KISS, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, 3 Doors Down, Harlem Globetrotters, Cirque du Soleil, WWE Smackdown, Jeff Dunham and Jim Gaffigan.

Since RAVE was formed in 2010, the BMO Harris Bank Center has undergone a second wave of renovations following a major overhaul in 2007.

A new high definition lighting grid and the entire lower level seating structure in the arena was replaced in 2014 while the concession stands have experienced consistent upgrades since 2013.

Most recently, Oink Outfitters, the IceHogs official merchandise store, has been expanded on IceHogs game nights offering fans a greater selection of Hog wear.

A new LED outdoor lighting system was also implemented last year to provide more adequate lighting around the exterior of the arena.
— BMO Harris Bank Center name to remain on downtown arena through 2022 —